Navigating a fitness journey on your own can be tough: Without a clear plan in place, it’s difficult to find the motivation and structure required for staying the course and achieving long-term success.
That’s why working out in a group setting — where there’s an encouraging coach, an intentionally designed program, and a supportive community — can make a difference when it comes to reaching your goals. You can find these elements and more in any of Life Time’s signature group training formats.
“Signature group training is Life Time’s middle ground between working out on your own and working with a personal trainer,” says Wes Robertson, senior classes operations manager for Life Time. “These programs are for everyone — it’s all about finding the format that works best for you and building your routine from there. No matter which format you choose, there’s a dedicated coach who will take you through a challenging workout in a group setting.”
Life Time’s signature group training programs include:
GTX is a 50/50 blend of progressively planned cardio and strength, offering a formula to help you continuously improve your endurance, strength, and overall fitness. You’ll experience zone interval training on a treadmill as well as a total-body strength training portions. GTX is an all-levels experience that can be adapted for wherever you are on your fitness journey. (Learn more: “Why GTX?”)
Alpha Strength is a full-body, progressively programmed, mixed-modality workout that includes both strength training and metabolic conditioning. You’ll perform advanced strength-training movements with a coach guiding you toward new personal records. The approach is designed to prevent overtraining and injury. Alpha Conditioning is a focused athletic-training program that delivers total-body conditioning and promotes all-around metabolic adaption. Every workout targets specific heart-rate zones through various forms of interval training, work-to-rest ratios, and functional-strength movements. (Learn more: “Why Alpha?”)
Ultra Fit is a high-performance speed and conditioning program. It pairs sprint interval training with functional-strength exercises and balance and stability movements to improve your body’s core systems. You’ll experience a high-intensity treadmill workout and develop your sprinting technique, along with off-the-treadmill resistance, balance, coordination, and agility training. (Learn more: “Sprints, Strength, and Balance: A Look at Ultra Fit Training.”)
MB360 is a mind-body training program that combines meditation with mobility, functional strength, and conditioning work. It is a high-energy class where mental and physical performance meet as one and the music drives the experience. The class is designed so every day from Monday through Saturday has a different area of focus; Sunday is a rest day. (Learn more: “5 Moves You’ll See in MB360.”)
6 Benefits of Life Time’s Group Training Programs
1. Each progressive program is designed by fitness professionals to help you avoid plateaus.
Each of these classes are intentionally programmed by fitness professionals to keep you feeling challenged and help you continue seeing results.
“It’s like having a personal trainer program workouts for you,” says Sydney Kaye, senior brand and communications manager at Life Time and group training coach at Life Time. “Each format consists of science-backed programming — similar to how a personal trainer would design workouts to keep you progressing — only you’re doing it in a group setting.”
Dedicated teams of professionals — from different backgrounds and with specific expertise in their areas — create the workouts for each of these programs, according to Robertson.
“For example, our Ultra Fit workouts are designed by Olympian athlete, coach, and speed and conditioning expert, Mechelle Lewis Freeman,” says Kaye.
2. Each program is led by a coach who makes sure you get the most out of your workouts.
Once you’re in class, an expert coach guides you through the workout and customizes it to your needs. Whether you need modifications for a certain move or encouragement to pick up heavier weights, your coach is there for you.
“All of our coaches are trainers who go through a certification process, so you know you’re getting the best of the best,” says Robertson. “They meet you where you are and lead you safely and effectively through the workout. They’re also there to make it a fun and motivating experience.”
3. You can see and track your workouts in the Life Time app.
Alpha and GTX workouts are released into the Life Time app in four-week phases, allowing you to see your workouts ahead of time. This helps you plan your weekly schedule and track your progress along the way.
“In the Life Time app, participants can view their programming ahead of time so they can know what they’re going to be doing and have as much information as possible,” explains Robertson.
“Then, at the end of your workout, you can go back in and log the weights you used or make notes about a certain exercise to look back on,” he adds. “Tracking variables like your weights or speed over time shows you how much progress you’re making — and may encourage you to lift heavier or run faster on your next workout.”
4. If you miss a workout, you can catch up on your own time.
Because all of the Alpha and GTX workouts are loaded into the Life Time app, you also have the option of following along from home — or wherever you are.
“Let’s say you miss your regular session for some reason — you’re out of town or extra busy that day. You can always check your app to see what the workout was and complete it on your own,” says Robertson.
5. Mix and match programs to create a challenging routine that helps you level-up.
While many members choose one program and stick to it, group training programs at Life Time are designed to be mixed and matched to form a routine that fits your goals.
“We have so many great programs all under one roof and encompassed in one membership,” says Robertson. “That means, as you level up and grow in your fitness journey, you’re able to branch out, try new things, and incorporate more variety into your training. And you don’t have to go anywhere else or buy another membership to do that.
“GTX and Alpha are programmed intentionally all seven days of the week, and the two programs complement each other,” he continues. “So, if it’s a hinge and press day in Alpha, it’s also a hinge and press day in GTX. That way, if you’re mixing and matching programs throughout the week, you don’t have to worry about doubling up or overtraining a certain muscle group.”
If you’re looking to progress in other areas or take on a new challenge, Robertson recommends adding in classes from each of the programs throughout the month.
“If you mostly do GTX or Alpha, sprinkling in a little bit of Ultra Fit and MB360 are going to make you a better GTX or Alpha athlete by working to improve your balance, mobility, and conditioning,” Robertson adds. “Any coach at your club can help you put together a plan that works for you and your goals.”
6. A small-group setting can keep you motivated and consistent.
Dynamic coaches and like-minded people come together to create a fun and encouraging environment in each of Life Time’s signature group training classes.
“In each program, you’re going to find a community of people working to reach their individual goals but under the shared purpose of living a healthier lifestyle,” says Robertson. “A group can hold you accountable and keep you motivated when you need a boost. Our coaches make a point to get to know the members in their classes and partner with them on the way to reaching their goals. Who doesn’t like walking into a workout seeing friendly faces?”
